That strange silence when you tell someone,
“I’m quitting my job to follow my dream.”
They smile — but you can feel the fear behind their eyes.
When I made the decision to leave my safe, well-paid job and start my own thing, I expected excitement and encouragement.
But instead, I often heard the same sentence:
“Ohhh cool! But I would never do it.”
And then came the list:
“Too risky”
“What if you don’t get clients?”
“I could never live with that uncertainty”
and so on…
At first, it hurt.
Because it wasn’t a spontaneous decision to leave my job.
I had prepared for this day.
I had thought it through, made plans, and waited for the right moment.
When I finally shared my decision, I felt relieved — almost proud.
It was supposed to be a moment of freedom.
But instead of being happy with me,
it felt like my dream was being measured against their fears.
Then I realized something important:
They weren’t doubting me.
They were revealing themselves.
It’s not that they want to discourage you — they just can’t imagine stepping outside their own comfort zone.
So they project their own limits onto your path.
Their fears aren’t yours to carry.
I started repeating this like a mantra:
“That’s their perspective — not mine.
I’m not responsible for other people’s choices.”
That thought became my shield.
It gave me peace and confidence in moments when I needed it most.
Next time someone tells you all the bad things that could happen,
smile.
Because you’re not hearing your future —
you’re hearing their fears.
And you’re brave enough to live beyond them.
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